Sunday, February 3, 201910:00 a.m. — First Sunday in Black History Month, “Staying Woke to the New Movements of God’s Spirit.” . Laurie will preach and we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper. After worship we will have our congregation’s ANNUAL MEETING.2:30 p.m. — ARTSBRIDGE POETRY READING!

Sunday, February 10, 201910 a.m. — 2nd Sunday in Black History Month, “Staying Woke to the Voices of the Past.” Deacon George Barfield will be preaching!

Sunday, February 1710 a.m. 3rd Sunday in Black History Month. “Staying Woke to the Present and to the cry for Justice” Pastor Laurie will be preaching. New Members’ class will meet after worship.

2018 GIVING STATEMENTS. We are sending statements by email this year. If you’d rather receive a paper statement please let us know by leaving a note in the office for Linda or emailing your request to firstpresbh@gmail.com.

TUTORS ARE NEEDED at the Discovery Learning Center. If you are available for one hour a week to help in this Benton Harbor Area School which works with Pre-K and K students, talk with Laurie and she will put you in contact with the coordinators.

FOOD PANTRY If you are able to contribute we need peanut butter, jelly, and boxed or dry milk. Thank you for the generous donations to our Food Pantry!

BLACK HISTORY MONTH! This February we will continue our practice of celebrating Black History Month. This year’s theme is “Staying Woke!” Here’s what’s happening on Sundays:

Sunday, February 3: Pastor Laurie preaching on the theme, “‘Staying Woke’ to the Movement of God’s Spirit.”

Sunday, February 10: Deacon George Barfield will preach on the theme, “‘Staying Woke’ to the Voices of Courage and Wisdom from the Past.”

Sunday, February 17: Pastor Laurie will preach on the theme, “‘Staying Woke’ in the Present Moment.”

Sunday, February 24: Rev. Andrew Robinson, Executive Director of MOSAIC in Benton Harbor, will preach on the theme, “‘Staying Woke’ in Benton Harbor in 2019.”

If you have prayer concerns please write them on the form in the pew or leave them on a sheet of paper on the office desk.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE EXODUS 13:17-22 NRSV

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, “God will surely take notice of you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here.” They set out from Succoth, and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE LUKE 4:1-13 MSG

Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry. The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.” For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.” Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If you are God’s Son, jump. It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?” “Yes,” said Jesus, “and it’s also written, ‘Don’t you dare tempt the Lord your God.’” That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.